Thank you to our sponsoring organizations, event leaders, and all the Ramble participants who

Photo credit: Robert Goldwitz

made the 2014 Hudson River Valley Ramble a fantastic success. There were 212 events throughout the Valley, enjoyed by thousands of people who came from far and wide.

Social media were an important part of the Ramble's unprecedented success in 2014. We increased our promotion in New York city, and our targeted online promotional campaigns reached about 40,000 new people. The Hudson River Valley Ramble Facebook page saw 'likes' go up 40%. Ramble website traffic was up 18%, and 75% of website visitors were new users. Thanks to our many followers on Facebook, Twitter, and the Ramble website for all your support and help in making this year's our best Ramble yet!

Hudson River Valley Greenway October Board Meeting

The Boards of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc. held a joint meeting on October 8, 2014 at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home. County Executive Marc Molinaro, Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Hyde Park Supervisor Aileen Rohr welcomed the board. Assemblymember Sandra Galef, Greenway Council Board Member, was also in attendance. Peter Fairweather presented the findings of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Strategic Plan, and Scott Keller of the Greenway presented an update on the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Program.

Governor Cuomo Announces More than $2 Million in Grants for Resiliency Projects in the Hudson River Watershed

On September 24, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced more than $2 million in state grants to support projects that will protect Hudson River estuary communities from flooding, storm surges, and sea level rise associated with climate change, including shoreline and riparian stabilization, water quality initiatives, and maintenance of environmental sustainability. A total of 24 projects are proposed and are funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. Read more...

New York State Historic Preservation Office Model Landmarks Preservation Local Law for Municipalities

As part of New York State's Certified Local Government program for historic preservation, the State Historic Preservation Office has published a model local landmarks law that provides a template for municipal level preservation of landmarks, historic districts, and scenic landmarks throughout the state. A copy of the model law, which was drafted in July 2014, can be found here.

The Wilderstein Carriage Restoration and Adaptive Reuse

Wilderstein Historic Site has announced the completion of the first phase of restoration and adaptive reuse of the estate's carriage house. This 1888 structure is one of the more elaborate structures of its kind from this era but was structurally endangered for years prior to current restoration efforts. Now that it is once again architecturally sound, the carriage house will become an important component of the Wilderstein experience as a setting for exhibitions, educational programs, community events, and more. This ongoing project is largely supported by the generous community donations totaling over $500,000.

annual "Voyage of Discovery" program that retraced Henry Hudson's historic voyage up the river that bears his name. 2014 is also the 25th

anniversary of the Albany launch of the replica ship, and Hudson Valley visitors will have many opportunities to experience this popular floating museum this fall.

The Half Moon remained moored in Albany as the centerpiece of a two-day historical encampment in the Corning Preserve, complete with hands-on demonstration of 17th-century Native American and Dutch technology and crafts, discussions of colonial trade in the Hudson Valley, and an exploration of the overlooked scientific discoveries of European mariners in the Age of Discovery.

The replica ship Half Moon and its operating organization, the New Netherlands Museum, are heritage sites of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. The Corning Preserve encampment was funded in part by a $5,000 2014 Heritage Development Grant from the Hudson River Valley Greenway, which is proud to promote the rich history of the Hudson River as a corridor of commerce, scientific discovery, and cultural exchange.

Despite their success, the outstanding programming offered by the replica ship Half Moon still faces two unrelenting obstacles: the lack of a permanent berth and programming site for the Half Moon, and a substantial annual budget shortfall. Recently, Andrew Hendricks, MD, the founder and Chairman of the New Netherland Museum, invited representatives from the Westfries Museum in Hoorn, The Netherlands, to visit the Half Moon and consider taking ownership of the vessel for permanent placement at their museum north of Amsterdam. Captain Chip Reynolds wrote about this development in a recent newsletter.

Project Spotlight

The 15th Annual Albany History Fair at Historic Cherry Hill

Historic Cherry Hill hosted a very successful 15th anniversary edition of the annual Albany Historic Fair on Sunday, May 4. "Albany, 1964" was the theme of this year's fair, commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Historic Cherry Hill. Nearly 300 local history enthusiasts showed up for the event which featured presentations by Historic Albany Foundation Director Susan Holland, Albany City Historian Tony Opalka, and Paul Stewart of the Underground Railroad History Project, house tours, a costume contest, a live broadcast of '60s music by WABY, retro drinks and snacks, and a round of Albany Jeopardy! hosted by legendary Albany historian and author Don Rittner.

The Albany History Fair was funded in part with a $2,500 2014 Heritage Development Grant

from the Hudson River Valley Greenway. Cherry Hill is a historic home museum devoted to the history of the Van Rensselaer family and the preservation of this 1787 Georgian home, a Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area site and one of the first Albany properties added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Upcoming Grants and Other Opportunities

Greenway Communities Grant ProgramFinancial assistance (approximately $5,000-$10,000) to designated "Greenway Communities" within the Greenway Area. Projects funded under this program include those that relate to community planning, economic development, natural resource protection, cultural resource protection, scenic resource protection, and open space protection. Applications must be postmarked or emailed by 5:00 PM: December 5, 2014; February 6, 2015; May 8, 2015; September 11, 2015.

Greenway Compact Grant ProgramFunding for municipalities that develop, approve, and implement a regional compact strategy consistent with the Greenway criteria and the Greenway act. Applications must be postmarked or emailed by 5:00 PM: December 5, 2014; February 6, 2015; May 8, 2015; September 11, 2015.

Volunteer Crew Needed for Half Moon Transits

The Half Moon will move from Albany to Athens on October 16, and then from Athens to Verplanck the weekend of October 18 and 19. Volunteers are needed for both trips. If interested, please email hmvolunteer@gmail.com with your full name, phone number, location, and emergency information.

2015 Office of Environmental Justice Small GrantsThe Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Justice announces the opening of its application period for the 2015 Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program. The EJSG Program provides funding for eligible applicants for projects that address local environmental and/or public health issues within an affected community. Pre-application assistance calls will take place in October and November. For more information, please visit the EPA website EJSG page.

Master of Science in Engineering Management Program at Clarkson UniversityClarkson University's Master of Science in Engineering Management program is expanding this fall. The two-year, 30-credit hybrid program, designed for rising at-work professionals, focuses on building expertise in project management, financial management, quality management, and operations management. Students meet with faculty in-person at the start of each semester and continue interactions online, building a sophisticated learning community with Web-conferencing, email, social media, and other innovative technologies. For more information, visit the program website.

Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor GrantsErie Canalway Heritage Corridor grants are targeted to fund projects or programs that directly relate to the goals, strategies, and priority projects identified in the Erie Canalway Preservation and Management Plan. For more information, visit the program website. Application deadline: October 17.

Is your community interested in creating vibrant, walkable neighborhoods? The application period is now open for free technical assistance from EPA grantee Smart Growth America.Smart Growth America's workshops will help communities think through their goals, show how development strategies can help achieve those goals, and provide ideas to make it happen. For more information and online applications, please visit the program website. Application deadline: October 23rd.

Parks & Trails New York Growing the Grassroots Capacity Building GrantsGrants of up to $4,000 will fund activities that help develop and strengthen the skills, processes and resources that not-for-profit organizations need to better fulfill their missions, effectively improve their reach and impact, and increase community support for parks and trail planning, development, and stewardship. For more information, email Parks & Trails New York or call (518) 434-1583. Application deadline: October 30th.

Teaching the Hudson Valley Student Writing Contest

Each year Teaching the Hudson Valley asks students to tell us about places in the region that have special meaning for them. Top scorers receive funds that cover transportation and/or admission fees so they can share their place with classmates during a field trip. This year K-5 students may submit a poem of any style and length. Older students may send essays or creative nonfiction; grades 6-8 up to 500 words; grades 9-12, up to 1,000 words. Get details here. Writing must be completed during September or October 2014 and received by Monday, November 10, 2014.

2015 Ecological Effects of Sea Level Rise ProgramThe Department of Commerce announces the solicitation of proposals under the Ecological Effects of Sea Level Rise (EESLR) Program to improve the management of regional and local ecosystem effects of sea level rise and coastal inundation through targeted research on key technologies, natural and nature-based infrastructure, physical and biological processes, and model evaluation. More information on the EESLR Program can be found here. Application deadline: November 18.

The Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections (SCHC) grant program of the National Endowment for the Humanities helps cultural institutions meet the complex challenge of preserving large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting sustainable conservation measures that mitigate deterioration and prolong the useful life of collections. For more information, visit the program website. Application deadline: December 3rd.

The American Hiking Society is accepting applications for National Trails Fund grants valued up to $5,000 between November 1 and December 12. If your organization is a member of the AHS Alliance of Hiking Organization and is preparing to complete a trail project in 2015, please consider applying for a grant. For more information, please visit the fund webpage.

Support of up to $7,500 is available for conservation treatment of paintings, works on paper, textiles, furniture, frames, sculptures, historical, ethnographic, and decorative objects owned by eligible organizations. For guidelines, application forms, and listings of past grantees, please visit the Greater Hudson Heritage Network website. Please note the new application deadline: March 2, 2015.

National Parks Service 2015 Battlefield Planning Grants

The National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Grant Program is now accepting proposals for 2015. Non-profit groups, academic institutions, and local, regional, state, and tribal governments are encouraged to apply for funding to support archaeology, cultural landscape inventories, cultural resource documentation, GIS mapping, National Register nominations, and preservation plans. For more information, please visit the program website.

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) is soliciting session and workshop proposals for its April 2015 annual conference in Corning, New York. The theme of the upcoming conference is the museum as an economic engine. For more information, visit the MANY conference website.

Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (Ongoing)The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets invite municipalities and non profit conservation organizations to apply for Farmland Protection funding. Prequalification for all not-for-profits is required; all municipalities interested must register on the State's new Grants Gateway website.

These four Sunday art classes at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum will include demos, plein air painting, group discussions, and a local foods picnic. For more information and online registration, go to hhnm.org or call (845) 534-5506, ext. 204.

Day in the Life of the Hudson River Estuary

Now in its twelfth year, "Day in the Life of the Hudson River Estuary" will feature nearly 4,000 students collecting scientific information along the tidal Hudson from the Troy Dam to New York Harbor. For more information on teachers and partner organizations, or to schedule visits to a site, please email or call event coordinator Chris Bowser (chbowser@gw.dec.state.ny.us; (845) 802-4030). Event details can also be found on the DEC website and on Lamont-Doherty's website.

October 16, 17 & 18

Olana Plein Air Festival - Hudson

Visitors will get to see thirty of the country's finest artists painting en plein air on the beautiful historic estate of Olana during this three-day festival that culminates with a final day installation, live auction, and cocktail reception. Presented by the Columbia County Arts Council. For more information, visit this event page.

October 17 and 18

Legends by Candlelight Ghost Tours at Clermont State Historic Site

These tours are the highlight of the fall season at Clermont, and feature a 1920s Halloween party haunted by ghosts from the museum's 250 year history. A fireside marshmallow roast, vintage candy tasting, and a lamp-lit adventure along the Hudson round out this fun evening for the entire family. Call (518) 537-4249 for reservations and more information.

October 17

"The Burning of Kingston - The Phoenix Rises" at the Senate House Museum - Kingston

This presentation by First Ulster Militia reenactor Hank Yost will revisit the infamous 1777 burning of Kingston by British forces during the American Revolution, and the subsequent rebirth of the city in the early years of our nation. For more information, visit this event page.

Come and experience a glimpse of what tea time was like during the Victorian era! Enjoy a festive afternoon of fine tea and homemade delicacies, followed by a tour of Wilderstein Mansion and a fall foliage stroll of the estates. Please call (845) 876-4818 to RSVP.

Bring our new exhibit to life as you tour these famous street and discover the social, cultural, and archaeological history of this intersection. For more information, visit www.rchsonline.org or call (518) 272-7232.

"Nature's Costumes" at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum - Cornwall

Learn all about how animals hide themselves in nature, meet live animals that blend themselves into the environment, and participate in camouflage hide-and-seek and other games. For more information and to register online, go to hhnm.org or call (845) 534-5506, Ext. 204.

Black Rock Forest Mountain Hike at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum

Black Rock Forest is the largest area in the Hudson Highlands with an elevation of over 1,200, providing hikers with amazing views. This hike is geared towards adults and older children. For more information and to register online, go to hhnm.org or call (845) 534-5506, Ext. 204.

Cornhusk Doll Workshop at Senate House State Historic Site - Kingston

Come to the Senate House State Historic Site to learn how to make your own cornhusk doll and learn about the Iroquois legend that explains why these dolls have no face. This workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, visit this event page.

October 19

First Annual Ossining Chalk It Up! Festival

Enjoy a day of music, dance, crafts and food alongside amateur and professional artists painting Ossining's Main and Spring Street sidewalks. Sponsored by the Village of Ossining's Downtown Events Committee. All ages are welcome. For more information, click here.

Join Teatown educators and artists from Strawtown Studio for this illuminating workshop! The Tarrytown Lighthouse will serve as inspiration to create lanterns from foils, mirrors, beads and other reflective materials to light up the long winter nights ahead. For more information, click here.

Historical Society of Rockland County Fall Family Festival at Germonds Park - West Nyack

Enjoy live music, raffles, craft demonstrations, pumpkin picking, petting zoo and pony rides, nature walks, a honey bee presentation, children's games, the historic Traphagen and Vanderbilt/Budke Houses, and much more at the Rockland County Fall Family Festival at Germonds Park. For more information, visit this event page.

A Gathering of Old Cars at Staatsburgh State Historic Site

Come out to Staatsburgh for this free event showcasing hundreds of antique cars on the great lawn, and even a WWI tank on loan from the Rhinebeck Aerodrome! For more information, visit this event page.

The Palisades Park Conservancy will host a benefit dinner to raise funds for the restoration of the Tower of Victory at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site. For more information, please see the following invitation and reservation form.

Dr. Trudie Grace of the Putnam History Museum and historian Mark Forlow will lecture on the West Point Foundry, one of the earliest industrial sites in the United States and a vital manufacturing advantage to the Union during the Civil War. For more information visit hhnm.org or call (845) 534-5506, Ext. 204.

October 24 and 25

Legends by Candlelight Ghost Tours at Clermont State Historic Site

These tours are the highlight of the fall season at Clermont, and feature a 1920s Halloween party haunted by ghosts from the museum's 250 year history. A fireside marshmallow roast, vintage candy tasting, and a lamp-lit adventure along the Hudson round out this fun evening for the entire family. Call (518) 537-4249 for reservations and more information.

Families and friends looking for a fun but not-so-spooky Halloween adventure that includes trails, animals, a scavenger hunt, crafts, and refreshments. For more information, visit hhnm.org, or call (845) 534-5506, Ext. 204.

This popular tour returns for the fall to explore the parallels between the family and servants at Staatsburgh and the characters on the acclaimed PBS drama. For more information, visit this event page.

Half Moon Volunteer Appreciation Celebration - Selkirk

Click here to RSVP for a pig roast in Selkirk held in appreciation of the many volunteers of the Half Moon and New Netherland Museum.

Third Annual Scarecrows at Frog Alley at Louw-Bogardus House - Kingston

See stylish scarecrows crafted by area businesses and artists and a pie contest at this annual event organized by the Friends of Historic Kingston. The public is also encouraged to enter their own scarecrows and pies for judging. For more information, visit the Friends of Historic Kingston website.

Dried apples were a common way of preserving this crop in colonial America, and they also make aromatic wreaths that can bring seasonal color and beauty to your home. Learn how to make your own festive dried apple wreath at this free workshop at the Senate House State Historic Site. For more information, visit the Senate House SHS website.

Rondout National Historic District Walking Tour - Kingston

Joint the Friends of Historic Kingston for the last walking tour of the Rondout National Historic District. Hear how entrepreneurs and immigrants rapidly transformed farmland into a thriving maritime village, walk the "street of churches", and view the rich legacy of commercial buildings and homes from this era. For more information, visit the event website.

Fort Montgomery Lantern Tours

Tour the ruins of Fort Montgomery at night! Join park educators, volunteers, and reenactors to hear dramatic tales from the battle and bring yourself back to October 1777. Witness the fort come alive as re-enactors depict various scenes from the fort's dark dramatic history. Registration required. For more information, please call (845) 446-2134.

Hudson River Cruise - New York

Join National Lighthouse Members and friends as they cruise up the Hudson River on from Pier 11 in New York City. Presenters will narrate the cruise while participants view the Little Red Lighthouse at Jeffrey's Hook, Ambrose Lightship, Frying Pan Lightship, Lilac Light Tender, and the Titanic Memorial Light. For more information, see this event description.

Who knows what ghosts might haunt the streets of Troy? You will, after taking part in this walk through the more colorful stories of Troy's past. For more information, visit www.rchsonline.org or call (518) 272-7232.

The Museum Association of New York invites MANY members and friends to Olana for a meet and greet with executive director Devin Lander and associate director Dana Krueger. For more information and to RSVP by October 22nd, please email dana@manyonline.org.

Public Meeting for the Draft Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

The Dutchess County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board will hold a public meeting to solicit comment on the proposed strategies for supporting agricultural businesses and protecting farmland. The meeting will be held at the Farm and Home Center, 2715 Route 44 in Millbrook from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and is open to everyone. RSVP by calling (845) 677-8223, Ext. 118. More info available here.

Economic Development in Your Community and How it Relates to Planning and Zoning

Registration is now open for this short course on economic development at the Dutchess County Farm & Home Center in Millbrook. Presenters include Dutchess County Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Planning and Economic Development Ron Hicks, Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation CEO Catherine Maloney, and Chazen Companies Vice President Stuart Mesinger. More information available here.

Early November Events

November 2

Revolutionary War Muster Day at Mount Gulian

Mount Gulian Historic Site, headquarters of General von Steuben during the War for Independence, will hold its Revolutionary War Muster Day of military reenactments, living history displays, 18th century medicine and foods and house tours. For more information, call (845) 831-8172, or visit www.mountgulian.org.

Beavers at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum - Cornwall

Learn about the industrious habits of these wetland mammals at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, followed by a walk in search of beavers at the Outdoor Discovery Center. For more information, go to hhnm.org or call (845) 534-5506, Ext. 204.

Local artists Sean Stewart is displaying works at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Agroforestry Resource Center that pay homage to the great tradition of Hudson Valley landscape painting. Please call (518) 622-9280, ext. 0 to confirm viewing times. Through October 28th.

Kingston: The IBM Years at Friends of Historic Kingston Gallery

This most ambitious annual exhibit spotlights the signature achievements of the tech giant during its four-decade stay in Ulster County. Galleries are open on Fridays and Saturdays. Through October 31. For more information, please visit the event website.

On view April at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. This is the first exhibition to explore one of the most influential teacher-student relationships in the history of American art - that between the founder of the Hudson River School of painting, Thomas Cole (1801-1848) and his most celebrated student and successor, Frederic Church (1826-1900). Through November 2nd.

To have your event included in future editions of the newsletter and on hudsonrivervalley.com, please enter upcoming event information here.

Green Tip Of The Month

Taste NY This Fall!

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that a brand new outdoor farmers' market will premiere this fall at the Taste NY Market at Todd Hill, located on the Taconic State Parkway in Dutchess County. Taste NY companies will offer their products every Friday and Sunday through November 2, including a Hudson Valley winery, as well as a number of meat and vegetable producers. Among the Taste NY products being offered at the Taste NY Market at Todd Hill will be fresh eggs, dairy products, meats, local fruits and vegetables, sauces and syrups. Travelers will also be able to get local ice cream, coffee or tea, as well as sandwiches and pastries. New York State, and the Hudson Valley in particular, has an incredible variety of local produce and products to offer. More information about local products can be found at the Taste NY website: www.taste.ny.gov

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